It’s no secret that the internet is full of scammers. Whether it’s someone trying to steal your personal information or a company trying to take your money, there are plenty of people out there who are looking to take advantage of unsuspecting internet users.
Shopping online is one of the most popular activities on the internet, and it’s also one of the most common places where people get scammed. With so many different ways to buy things online, it can be hard to know if you’re dealing with a legitimate company or a scammer.
If you see an online deal that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers will often advertise ridiculously low prices in order to entice people to buy from them.
Watch out for strange or unexpected emails
If you get an email from a company or individual that you’re not familiar with, be cautious. Many scammers will send out emails that look like they’re from a legitimate company, but are actually full of malware or links to phishing websites.
Don’t click on links or attachments from unknown sources
This goes hand-in-hand with the previous tip. If you receive an email from an unknown source, don’t click on any links or attachments that it contains. These could be malicious and lead you to a scammer’s website.
Be careful what personal information you share online
Scammers can use your personal information for identity theft or other fraudulent activities. Be careful about what you share online, and only give out your personal information to websites that you trust.
Pay attention to the website’s URL
When you’re shopping on a website, take a look at the URL in the address bar. If it looks strange or different from other websites that you’ve shopped on, it could be a fake website set up by a scammer.
Check for reviews before you buy
Before you make a purchase from an online store, take a few minutes to read reviews from other customers. This can give you a good idea of whether or not the store is legitimate.
Use a credit card for online purchases
When you make a purchase with a credit card, you have more protection against fraud than you do with other forms of payment. If you do end up getting scammed, you can dispute the charges with your credit card company.
Keep your software up to date
Make sure that you have the latest security updates and anti-virus software installed on your computer. This will help protect you from websites that may contain malware.
Be cautious of pop-ups and ads
Many scammers will use pop-ups and ads to get people to click on their links. Be careful of these, and only click on links from websites that you trust.
If something seems too good to be true, it probably is
This is the most important tip to remember when shopping online. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t let a scammer take advantage of you.
